A group of women from two chambers of commerce and a local company raised enough money on Thursday to purchase two machines to help severely disabled children communicate.

Women in Business, which is part of the American Fork and Lehi Area Chambers of Commerce, met Thursday for a conference and service project. A portion of admission to the conference went to purchase equipment to help the children, and there was a silent auction and live auction at the event. The group also cut and tied blankets, assembled humanitarian kits for the homeless and decorated a Christmas tree, which will be donated to the Festival of Trees to benefit Primary Children's Medical Center.

Through the admission and auction, they met their goal of raising $1,600 to buy a machine called EagleEyes. Because the group met its goal, XanGo agreed to purchase another machine. EagleEyes is a device with eye-controlled technology that helps people with profound physical challenges communicate by using the motion from their eyes along with a computer.

Corina Arnold, whose son has been helped by an EagleEye unit, spoke to the group about Tre.

"When he was 5 months old we went to Wal-Mart to get his picture taken," she said. "That was the last time he ever held up his head." He eventually learned about 30 words, but his disease even took most of those from him. For a while he was only able to say "Mom" and "more." Now he cannot speak at all, is bent in a C-shape all the time and does not have regular muscular control.

Despite the challenges, the Arnold family worked to maintain some similitude of regular family life. "We were learning how to make things normal in a different way," she said.

Then they learned about EagleEyes and tried it out. They discovered Tre was more aware of things than they had assumed.

"He didn't lose things," she said. "He just couldn't tell me he knew it. 'I am here and I am ready to keep learning and to show what I can do' is the message he sent to me.

"I got my son back," she said.

Sandi Rice, a consultant at Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, told them about a 12-year-old girl named Kady, who had no control over her body except for small movement in her left hand and arm, and her eyes. Her brother and sister tolerated her, but seemed to feel that she was not a family member -- just someone who Mom and Dad took care of.

When Kady had a chance to use EagleEyes, she was able to communicate with them and actually play computer games with her family.

"To them, she is a real person now," Rice said.

Other parts of the day's service were geared toward the homeless.

Debby Lauret, director of the American Fork Chamber of Commerce, said the city's Rotary Club donated money to buy fleece and the supplies for the hygiene kits.

"We're partnering with them for The Dream Center in Salt Lake City," she said. "They feed families. We will get hygiene kits, blankets, used coats and other things like that for them. We are really grateful to the Rotary Club." With the donated items, the women were able to assemble 144 humanitarian kits for the homeless.

They also decorated a Christmas tree, which will have a Scandinavian theme.

Lauret said she was pleased with the turnout and the response of the women.

"We think it's kind of like getting together like an old-time quilting bee," she said.

Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson gave a keynote address, focusing on ways community members have offered service to others. She gave examples in her own community of those who rendered assistance both at home and for those far away. Some raised money to give to tsunami victims. Others helped ill children.

"We live in a very busy time," she said. "Our schedules are packed. We are running and trying to get everything done." She said service does not have to be dramatic to be of value.

"It is very important that we remember we don't have to feel guilty about the things we don't get done. The little things can be a huge service to people -- even a smile and friendly greeting."

Renee Jeffrey said she was happy for the opportunity to come and offer service.

"I think it is just exciting to be part of this organization that lends itself to helping in a way we can in the community. I had never heard of EagleEyes. What an opportunity to be able to give to some child. We are excited to be a part of Women in Business."

EagleEyes was developed at Boston College in 1994 by computer science professor James Gips. Electrodes are placed above and below the dominant eye and on both temples to magnify the electrical signal of the eye and convert it into the mouse cursor. EagleEyes is designed for individuals who have little or no facial movement. The less facial movement the individual has the better he or she can master EagleEyes.